Just Another Opinionated Crazy Lady Who Loves Books And Animals!! :)

Daily Archives: January 8, 2013

Hello my wonderful people!! I’m so excited today! First- I’ve decided EVERYONE needs to stalk this author…. Let me tell you a little story. When book one of this series came out, I entered to win it from goodreads, because of the lovely Ms. Charlotte Abel and Ms Nancy Straight. They had both gushed about this new story. So, I awesomely WON the first book in paperback. And then I procrastinated, because of all the reviews I do for my blog, I slack on my personal readings. Well, then this blog tour popped up and I had to jump in, because not only would I make the time to read book one, but I would then make it a point to read books 2-4 because the tour is specifically for Incendiary. So, I am going to have a huge post today, with my reviews up for The first TWO BOOKS today and again in February for the next two books. And I really need to thank the extra wonderful Ms. Amy Bartol, because she so graciously offered to GIVE me the books I didn’t have. And then, due to some work issues, I didn’t get to finish them and she was so awesome about it!! So, it’s gunna be a big one, and now I’m gunna show you!! And you can click on the titles to take you to it’s goodreads page.

Blurb for book 1:

My name is Evie Claremont and this was to be the making of me–my freshman year of college. I had been hoping that once I had arrived on Crestwood’s campus, the nightmare that I’ve been having would go away. It hasn’t.

I may be an inexperienced seventeen-year-old, but I’m grounded…sane. Since meeting sophomore Reed Wellington, however, nothing makes any sense. Whenever he is near, I feel an attraction to him–a magnetic kind of force pulling me towards him. I know what you’re thinking…that sounds fairly awesome. Yeah, it would–if he liked me, but Reed acts as if I’m the worst thing that’s ever happened to Crestwood…or him. But, get this, for some reason every time I turn around he’s there, barging into my life.

What is the secret he is keeping from me? I’m hoping that it is anything but what I expect: that he is not exactly normal…and neither am I. So maybe Crestwood won’t be the making of me, but it could be the breaking of me. I have been left to wonder if the dark future my dream is foretelling is…inescapable.

My Review:

If I could speak 10 different languages, I don’t think it would be enough to say I LOVE THIS BOOK!! There is a whole truck load of reasons to love it. So, I picked this book up one evening, and then I was flying through it, but it was time to go to bed. I turn off the lights, snuggle in bed… And can’t do it… I turn back on the light and HAD to finish!! Which I did, regardless of my lack of sleep. AND IT WAS SO WORTH IT!!! Here’s my first reason. The feather on the cover is actually a dead giveaway for the story- yet I had NO IDEA until a good way through the book what the “supernatural” actually was. I love this because it literally keeps you guessing.

Another reason I love this book is I had NO idea that “that person” who turn out to be the bad guy!!! Dammit!!! I was so utterly heartbroken because I kinda fell in love with this character. And I was completely taken aback by the methods to which they were willing to go to. Another reason I loved this book is the realness of the characters. The funny think about that is I know people just like that!! I can relate to them. Even the “non humans” are understandable and even though you will hate the Villain you will understand it.

Alright, now the second biggest reason I love this book is the characters. Evie, Reed, Russell, Freddie, Buns, Brownie, TJ, Pete, Uncle Jim, Zephyr, I love them all! Evie may be the main character- and I do love her- but you guys know I’m always a big supporter of secondary characters and there is no shortage of love here. I love Evie’s relationship with Buns and Brownie because it reminds me so much of me and my best friends! BUT I always seem to be rooting for the wrong team. You know, when you have “two parts” of yourself, would you not have two different love interests? I’m trying really hard not to give away spoilers but it’s getting hard. I guess I will have to be happy with being on “my team” all alone for now! Hahaha :)

My biggest reason for loving this book is the writing. You can have so many good elements of a book that come together for a book, but if it’s not written well, it could blow the whole thing. Well the writing is utterly beautiful. It had to be otherwise I wouldn’t have lost sleep to read it LOL! Every detail is striking but not overly done. Ever feeling is conveyed so you feel it too. Beautiful is the word that comes to mind! I’m not sure I could describe it any other way. I was completely enveloped my the story and I feel like I’ve made some new friends :) a seriously WONDERFULLY HEARTBREAKING 5 PAWS!!! I’m now going suck up book two as quickly as I possibly can!!

I will be showing you a playlist a little later but I HAD TO show you this ONE, because it played in my head the whole time I read this book. Let me say why… “Where there is desire, there’s gunna be a flame. Where there is a flame someone’s bound to get burned. But just because it burns doesn’t mean you’re gunna die. You gotta get up and try… Funny how the heart can be deceiving more than just a couple times. Why do we fall in love so easy, even when it’s not right….” I wanted to thanks to P!nk because she is of course fantabulous but when you listen to this and then read this story you will be in tears. :) just like I did. So here’s your link to see the video on you tube: P!nk-Try… http://youtu.be/yTCDVfMz15M

Blurb for book 2:

I don’t open my eyes so I can’t see him, but I can smell him. He thickens the air I breathe, choking me with his scent…his aroma. I shiver. I have to resist. If I’m not strong, then I will be relegated to the same fate as this predator whose sickness infects me even now. But now, I crave him and he knows that; he has been counting on my need to end the gnawing pain. How he would savor my surrender. I’m alive, but how much longer will it take until I beg him not to be?

My Review:

And…. It keeps getting better. This series is so fantastic. I may have to be really careful though as everything I want to talk about is going to be spoilery, especially to you guys seeing this series for the first time, but I’m gunna try! I’m so in love with all these characters! I can’t help but cheer when they have a victory or cry when they are heartbroken. And this one definitely ups the action scenes! High five to that!

This story gets a little complicated and I have a feeling that “team Reed” fans will be a little baffled, but since I kinda totally love Russell I was so glad to get to see into his mind a little bit. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rees and his relationship with Evie, but it’s a personal love for me with Russell. And then there’s a new player on the field…. But again no spoilers and I can’t say what I want to. I think I’ll have to hold out just a little, but not to worry, Ms Amy plays it out beautifully and I think it’ll all turn out good :)

I fanatically love Buns and Brownie!! And with more characters coming into play, I’m so glad they’re on Evie’s side! And let me just say with some bow-chicka-wow-wow and a seriously good ending, this one definitely didn’t disappoint in the least!! I like when things get thrown in the air and it becomes unpredictable! And we even get a HEA… For now hahahaha! And then you gotta know it’s only gunna get crazier cuz life goes on and I can’t wait for my next adventure in Indebted!!

The writing is just so special. I’ve become such a huge fan of this author that short of killing of my favorite character- I won’t say who- I will read EVERYTHING by Ms Amy. And I may have serious depression when this series finally ends… Which lets all hope it’s not coming to the soon!! I have so many things running through my brain right now, but I can’t ruin it for you guys, so I think when I post my reviews for books 3 & 4, I’ll update this a bit. It’s gunna come spilling out my mouth soon and I hate spoilers so I will leave you with my lovely 5 PAWS and say I cannot wait to inhale book 3!! If you aren’t reading these books, you’re just not cool! I’ll peer pressure you and say… JUST READ THEM! EVERYONE WHO IS COOL IS!! Hahahaha :)

Blurb for book 3:

I hang my head in sorrow for just a moment when I know I am truly alone. I feel like I’m going to my execution, just as he had said. Then I move forward again. I hop a fence of fieldstone and cross a field dotted with Queen Anne’s lace. Goose bumps rise on my arms as I pass the cluster of windmills that I have seen in a dream. The scent is sweet in the field though, not the scent of heat, like it had been when it was forced upon me in visions. I gaze down the hill, beyond the small, whitewashed house that I knew would be there. The church looms dark and grim with its rough-hewn, timber façade, capped by tall, oblong spires reaching to the sky. Black, ominous clouds have collected above the roofline, as if Heaven is showing me the way.

My Review:

* My review for this book will be in February along with my series playlist… I’ve almost finished reading this one and it’s AWESOME!!!

Blurb for book 4:

Cold, fine drops of rain fall softly on my cheeks as I emerge from the darkness of the ship’s interior to the gray, overcast sky of the main deck. Pulling my dark pea coat tighter to my body, the wind lifts red tendrils of my hair. I walk slowly to the railing overlooking the water.

I catch my first sight of the Irish coastline; its craggy landscape makes me shiver in dread. I find it difficult to imagine now how the Gancanagh had made this their home for so long without anyone realizing it. The cold, moss-covered edifices practically scream their presence. As I study the shadows between the falling-down stone, I imagine creeping shapes of undead Faeries grasping the rock, waiting for our ship to draw nearer to their position.

Tipping my face up, I let the rain wash over me. It bathes away the frigid sweat of fear that has broken on my brow. “You don’t know how fiercely beautiful you are, do you?” A quiet voice behind me asks, causing me to stiffen and fix my eyes on the rocks along the shoreline.

My Review:

*My review for this book will be in February along with my series playlist… I’m so mad at myself for lack of time to read faster hahahaha!

I live in Michigan with my husband and our two sons. My family is very supportive of my writing. When I’m writing, they often bring me the take-out menu so that I can call and order them dinner. They listen patiently when I talk about my characters like they’re real. They rarely roll their eyes when I tell them I’ll only be a second while I finish writing a chapter…and then they take off their coats. They ask me how the story is going when I surface after living for hours in a world of my own making. They have learned to accept my “writing uniform” consisting of a slightly unflattering pink fleece jacket, t-shirt, and black yoga pants. And they smile at my nerdy bookishness whenever I try to explain urban fantasy to them. In short, they get me, so they are perfect and I am blessed. Please visit me at my website: http://www.amyabartol.com/

So, now, I wanna know what do you guys think? You heard of this series or this author? Are you stalking her yet!?! Well, if you haven’t heard, now you have. Wanna read it? I’m thinking that I will have TWO winners- One winner will win book one if they haven’t read this series yet, and one will win the book of their choice from this series (both winners get ebook form). Since Ms. Amy was so nice to me, I’ll be nice to you! It’ll be international since I can send you a coupon for smashwords or amazon. So if you haven’t read book 1 and want to, now is your chance. Or if you loved book 1 and 2 and need book 3 or 4, now is your chance, too! So, leave me a nice comment telling me if you have read any of this series (yay or nay) and which book you would like to win. :) If you have read it, tell me something you loved, or if you haven’t read it, tell me why you think you would like it! Or you could always leave a comment or question for the wonderful author, too! :) Ms Amy, do you like my P!nk song I chose? ;)

I wish you all good luck. This series is so great! I hope you like it as much as I do! Thanks again for stopping by and thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Ms Amy for being such a delight! You’re definitely gunna have a stalker for life- I’ve been told I’m a cool stalker LOL! You are beyond sweet and you are now one of my BIG FAVORITES! :)

Paulina Ulrich Blog
I’m the author of the Flightless Bird series and the upcoming Fighting Fate series. I write stories because life wouldn’t be as fun without the occasional break or two from reality.

Paulina Ulrich Blog
I’m the author of the Flightless Bird series and the upcoming Fighting Fate series. I write stories because life wouldn’t be as fun without the occasional break or two from reality.